New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been indicted on five federal charges, including bribery, wire fraud, and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals, according to an unsealed 57-page indictment.
The charges date back to 2014, when Adams served as Brooklyn Borough President, and include accusations of accepting luxury international travel and contributions from foreign businesspeople and officials, notably from Turkey.
The indictment alleges that Adams circumvented federal election laws by using “straw” donors to funnel illegal contributions into his campaign, particularly after announcing his run for mayor in 2018. The businesses involved reportedly bypassed New York City’s ban on corporate donations by routing funds through employees.
US Attorney Damian Williams is set to address the indictment at a news conference later today. Investigators also executed a search warrant at Adams’ home on Thursday morning as part of the investigation.
Adams, who has previously denied any wrongdoing, issued a video statement on Wednesday, calling the charges “false” and vowing to fight them, stating, “If I am charged, I am innocent and I will fight this with every ounce of my strength and spirit.”
The indictment marks a significant blow to Adams, who rose to prominence as a former NYPD captain and positioned himself as a tough-on-crime Democratic leader. His tenure as mayor, which began in January 2022, has faced challenges including the migrant crisis, subway safety concerns, and public disputes over city spending.
This legal development could impact the upcoming elections, as the political future of New York City’s mayor and control of the US House of Representatives may hinge on several close races in the state.
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